May 14, 2024 | 12:25pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
KINGS, ROY YET TO TALK CONTRACT
Matt Roy, defenceman
The Los Angeles Kings have a number of roster decisions to make this off-season and two key pending unrestricted free agents to worry about.
Energy forward Viktor Arvidsson and defenceman Matt Roy are eligible to become UFAs July 1 and both have played key roles on the Kings this season.
Kings GM Rob Blake has prioritized firming up his goaltending position, but between that and making a final call on his head coach moving forward, he must also decide whether to sign Arvidsson and Roy to contract extensions.
As TFP’s Dennis Bernstein reported Tuesday morning, contract discussions between the Kings and Roy’s camp have not yet started, but those negotiations are expected to begin around the start of June.
A couple of LAK-related notes:
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) May 14, 2024
- Marc Bergevin, hired as senior advisor to GM Rob Blake in January 2022 is in consideration for the open Blue Jackets GM role.
- No talks with Matt Roy's camp on contract extension but expect them to occur in June prior to Free Agent Frenzy.
Roy, 29, will soon see his three-year, $9.45 million contract expire and is in line for a hefty raise this off-season.
The six-year NHL veteran should see his next average annual value hit well above $5 million on his next season and that could price him out of Los Angeles depending on the type of contract Blake gives pending restricted free agent forward Quinton Byfield and which new No.1 netminder he brings in.
If Roy hits the open market, he will generate plenty of interest, as several clubs will be looking to bolster their blueline, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and Utah.